The scientific team of the University of West Attica (UNIWA) presented innovative methodologies and tools for Life Cycle Costing, sustainable investment assessment, and sustainability reporting at the General Hospital of Chania and the 7th Health Region of Crete, within the framework of the European CARING NATURE Horizon Europe project (Grant Agreement No. 101137340).

From 29 June to 3 July 2026, UNIWA conducted a series of scientific, technical, and educational meetings in Crete, focusing on the development, pilot implementation, validation, and broader uptake of innovative sustainability tools for healthcare organisations.

The 7th Health Region of Crete participates in CARING NATURE as the consortium partner responsible for pilot implementation in Crete, playing a key role in supporting and coordinating project activities. Within this framework, the General Hospital of Chania was selected as the project’s pilot hospital, serving as a real-world setting for the implementation, testing, and validation of the methodologies and tools developed to support the sustainable transition of healthcare organisations.

Particular emphasis was placed on the pilot implementation of UNIWA’s tools at the General Hospital of Chania. As part of this work, an investment in rooftop photovoltaic panels was assessed using Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and the Sustainable Finance Evaluation Model (SFEM). This enabled a comprehensive evaluation of the investment, considering not only initial costs but also long-term economic performance, operating cost savings, environmental benefits, sustainability parameters, associated risks, and overall added value for the organisation.

In parallel, UNIWA’s methodological approach for developing sustainability reports tailored to healthcare organisations was implemented. This approach supports the systematic assessment and reporting of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, as well as the integration of sustainability into strategic planning.

These methodologies are designed to support healthcare management teams in evidence-based decision-making, comprehensive investment assessment, ESG performance evaluation, and the development of integrated sustainability strategies.

The activities were carried out under the scientific coordination of Dr Anastasios Sepetis, Associate Professor at the Department of Business Administration and Scientific Coordinator of the project on behalf of UNIWA, with the participation of Mr Fotios Rizos, researcher and PhD candidate at the same department.

Throughout CARING NATURE, UNIWA has played a central scientific and methodological role, contributing to the translation of sustainability principles, sustainable finance approaches, and European green transition policies into practical, evidence-based tools for healthcare managers and professionals.

The strong collaboration and support of the 7th Health Region of Crete and the General Hospital of Chania were instrumental to the successful implementation of the activities. The active engagement and contributions of their teams were key to adapting and validating the methodologies under real-world conditions.

This collaboration between UNIWA, the 7th Health Region of Crete, and the General Hospital of Chania illustrates the importance of linking academic research with the operational needs of public healthcare organisations.

UNIWA continues to invest in research, innovation, and the development of practical solutions with real-world impact, strengthening the connection between scientific knowledge and operational needs and contributing to the transition towards greener, more resilient, and sustainable healthcare systems.